Page 41 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

Missed Call -Laila

Missed Call -Laila

Missed Call -Laila

Laila:Mom and I are leaving. Txt you coordinates when you call me back.

Shit.There’s no way anyone found us, I was too careful it can’t be them. I made sure that no one would be able to find the house. I covered all my bases.

I rush out to get to the car to call Laila when I notice– the passenger door is open, and Rowan isn’t inside.Fuck me.

“Rowan!” I shout, my voice echoing. I search the surrounding area hoping she’s just sitting by the water clearing her head. She couldn’t have gone far. “Rowan!” I scream louder.

The necklace.She’s wearing her necklace. I get in the car and pull out my phone again to open the tracking app Austin built. It’s connected to the necklace I gave her at the penthouse.

Location Unavailable

How the fuck–Austin. He’s a fucking traitor. I punch the steering wheel, trying to figure out what my next move is. That tracker was my only lifeline if I ever failed Rowan and she ended up being taken. Austin’s words replay in my mind.

I suggest taking her somewhere tonight, that way they don’t have anything on you.He wanted me out of the house for a reason.

I don’t have time to fuck around, I’m going to call Laila and try to find Rowan.

I can barely hear the line ringing over the sound of my erratic heartbeat as I call Laila. “Grayson?”

“Laila, where are you guys?” I rush out.

“We’re safe. I just called Austin, I think our phones might be tapped.”

“Did you fucking tell him anything?”

“No, I just told him that I think the phones are tapped and asked him what we should do.”

I take a breath, trying to collect my thoughts. If she just talked to Austin, that means he isn’t aware that I know he’s a rat. “Okay listen, get to a payphone or a nearby business and call the place dad took us to last year that had a really good chianti wine.”

“Oh you mean–”

“Shut the fuck up, Laila. I love you, but please use your head. If the phones are tapped I don’t want anyone hearing where I’m going.”

“Okay got it. I’ll call you in ten.”

We hang up and I kick up the speed, rushing to get toCasa Niclodi– the restaurant Laila is supposed to call. If they took Rowan, they’re going to need a way to transport her from Sicily to Tijuana, where they originally planned to send her. My mind is racing with thoughts of how I’m going to find her, how scared she is, how I’m a fucking idiot for letting her be alone again. I failed her. I need to make this right.

Grayson

I pull into the parking lot ofCasa Niclodiand rush in, stopping at the host stand. “Hi, I’m an investor for this establishment and I’m expecting a phone call. Would you mind handing me the line when it rings?”

The young hostess stares at me. “Scusa, non capisco.”

Right. “Sono un investitore per questo stabilimento. Mi aspetto una chiamata, ti dispiacerebbe consegnarmi la linea quando suona?” I repeat it to her in italian.

“Ah, certo, qui basta prenderlo.” She replies, handing me the landline.

“Grazie.” I force a smile and take a seat at one of the tables.

Everything I’ve done to keep Rowan safe and it was all for nothing, I basically handed her to them with a bow.

The phone rings and I answer it immediately. “Hello?”

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